Sunday, 31 May 2009

We need a political image to succeed in our mission, a personality whom
we can trust and respect. A political platform is urgently required else our Imaar Thar is indeed in danger.

Dr Sarmila Sinha, London

The more I think about it, the more I feel myself unfit to write about it. I am a Bishnupriya Manipuri, my parents are both Bishnupriya Manipuris, and they raised me in Assam. My father was very particular about the Bishnupriya Manipuri language insisting that all of us should speak at home only in Imar Thar. However we did not grow up with the real Bishnupriya Manipuri culture, and honestly I don't know much about it.

But while growing up, I never felt I was missing anything and in fact always held my identity in high esteem. I could compete with confidence and always felt I could be better than anyone.

It was only after settling abroad and finishing my studies and getting a job, do I now have time to reflect on my "Roots" and now want to contribute back in whatever way I can. Am I too late?

Who are the safeguards of our society? What thread holds us together so that even though we are physically miles away, we are connected?
You may have an answer in which case, I will be grateful if you can enlighten me.

Obviously there is no quick and easy solution to this issue.

And this problem of "ignorance of one's culture" is not just confined to our society. It is magnified in our society because we are so scarcely populated. We all want to "fit in" to whichever culture we are raised in. It is a human instinct, sometimes necessary for survival and success in life. But just because it is the norm doesn’t justify it to be the right thing.

It is unacceptable to forget one's roots.

I believe that the Bishnupriya Manipuri youth are much better off now than they have ever been. With globalisation and the speed of the Internet we are just a click away from each other. The future seems bright for our society now because it seems we do have the resources we need.

I want to spend some time reflecting on some possibilities for our society.

Because of our settlements in far away places we need some kind of unity. We need to be more generous in our efforts to help each other, any gesture that will keep the fire burning. I am asking how efficient is Mahasabha in uniting all of us from all walks of life. Will it help to glamorise it, give more publicity, print newsletters, having a Youth wing.

My next dream is education for all and a fair chance for the talented.
For e.g., My maternal grandmother Late Mrs Debjani Sinha from Kailashar, Tripura was a lady with a grand vision. When my grandfather used to be at work, she painstakingly used to visit many houses in the village asking and trying to solve people's problems. She used to tell me that if she had been literate, she would have been the Prime Minister of India.

My biggest concern is that are we are depriving another potential from realising his or her dreams. I am in favour of opening trust funds for the talented Bishnupriya Manipuris so that money doesn't stand in the way if one is truly talented.

Even though we are living in different geographical locations, our agenda is the same. So it is necessary to have a leader who can lead us and take all our voices to the next level. We need a political image to succeed in our mission, a personality whom we can trust and respect.

We must take it on ourselves to preserve our heritage. Every society has their "museum-like" establishments where they actually preserve things from the past and present for future generations.
It will certainly help future generations to preserve all our literature, memories of our great personalities.

Again, not being judgemental and too critical of work undertaken by our fellow Bishnupriya Manipuri will go a long way in boosting the moral of our society.

In summary I think that our Imar Thar is in danger unless we take measures to ensure that our future generations are acquainted with the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, take on the customs and be proud to identify with the culture.

Of course we need to be acknowledged and recognised in the wider world and therefore taking a political perspective of our struggle is paramount.

Thursday, 28 May 2009

Languages never remain static. It always evolves, imbibing words and phrases from other languages, or with the invention of words. According to BBC, if “You” and “I” are century-old words, it fears the word “dirty” would vanish very soon as people have stopped using it very often.

About the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, you all would agree the words and phrases that were in use decades ago are not in usage now. The words have lost its sheen to other languages. The words from other languages have been widely accepted in our daily use.

An effort was made years back to record the words and the sentences that are of common use here in the site. (It is available on the right panel with Learn Bishnupriya Manipuri) So far it has recorded over 175 entries. The importance of the exercise was that the translation to Bengali, Assamese, English and Hindi was done.

Supposedly ‘many’ people tried their hand to fill in the meaning of “I love you” in the Bishnupriya Manipuri language page. But all failed to translate “I love you” as far as their activities recorded in the exercise shows. Reviewing their activities there are few other words or phrases where most of the people repetitively went blank. They were stuck.

Phrases like “Hello, how are you?”, “I missed you” and “Hello”, are some of the often repetitive words that went unanswered.

Does it mean that the Bishnupriya Manipuri language has the handicap of not having the translation of these words/ phrases? Or does it convey that we had the words but we don’t use now.

In either case, the absence of the meaning of “I love you” speaks a lot. And it means a lot. Here the million-dollar question is: Has it really vanished from our terminology or we don’t have ‘love’ in ourselves.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

For many, ‘Yes’ our Imaar Thar is in danger. But it is not the case for many. They feel it is not susceptible to any change or danger. And both have strong reasons to support it.

However, this is one question that always lingers in the back of our mind. What is the state of our Imaar Thar in our life? Is it safe only in our villages? Or will it altogether become extinct from the metro cities?

We all are concerned!

Fill in the form below and voice your concern.(Those who have filled in the form, they can ignore it.)

Saturday, 23 May 2009

Water has gone above the roof for the 149- strong Bishnupriya Manipuri teachers appointed in the LP schools of Assam. They are sitting on an indefinite hunger strike to draw attention of the state government to their plight on June 5, 2009 in front of the Silchar DC Office.

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Silchar, the Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Teachers Association, intimated that due to failure of the government to regularize their services they are taking this course of action.

The Teacher’s Association has submitted similar memorandums to the Deputy Commissioners of Karimganj and Hailakandi districts.

In 2001, altogether 149 Bishnupriya Manipuri Language teachers were appointed in LP schools in three districts (Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj) of Barak Valley. But they have not been receiving any remuneration as their services were not regularized.

The Bishnupriya Manipuri Gana Sangram Parishad and Bishnupriya Manipuri Students Association had extended their support to the Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Teachers Association’s decision.

Friday, 22 May 2009

In a recent amendment to Income-Tax Rules, delayed payments to MSEs will incur payment of interest at 18 % per annum compounded annually; in addition it will entail liability to pay income-tax on such interest.

“Delayed payments to MSEs will not only entail payment of interest to the affected MSEs at 18% p.a. compounded monthly (effective rate 19.56%) but will also entail liability to pay income-tax (at as much as 33.99% presently) on such interest, which is inadmissible as expenditure deductible from taxable income,” reads a notification released by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

The decision would assuage millions of small and medium enterprises who have been facing payment default to their services.

According to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act, 2006, manufacturing enterprises which investment in equipment is up to Rs 10 lakh are Micro, above Rs10 lakh and up to Rs 2 crore are Small; above Rs.2 crore and up to Rs. 5 crore are Medium.

Manufacturing

Micro Enterprises – investment up to Rs. 25 lakh

Small Enterprises – investment above Rs.25 lakh & up to Rs. 5 crore

Medium Enterprises – investment above Rs. 5 crore & up to Rs.10 crore

Enterprises which are in the services, investment up to Rs. 10 lakh are termed Micro, above Rs.10 lakh & up to Rs. 2 crore – Small, and above Rs.2 crore and up to Rs. 5 crore are Medium.

Thursday, 21 May 2009

Thanks to the launch of the web portal www.pgportal.gov.in by the Department of Administrative Reforms And Public Grievances, a nodal agency of the Government of India, people can now redress online their complaints pertaining to various Government’s Departments and Ministries.

However, grievances concerning to policy matters, commercial contracts, decision involving quasi-judicial procedure, matters which are sub-judice, matters earlier disposed of at the level of Minister and frivolous complaints have been kept away from the purview of the Department of Administrative Reforms And Public Grievances (DGP) online endeavour.

“The grievances arising out of unsatisfactory response or no response from the Ministry/Department concerned will be taken up by the PG officers of DAR&PG who will take up the matter with the Ministry/Department concerned for close monitoring and expeditious redress,” reads the About Us page on the site.

The songs not only crossed geographical areas, but it gave an impetus to non-existent Bishnupriya Manipuri music industry. The music album which was about to vanish, got a new lease of life, and it brought a tectonic shift to our approach, the way we consume music. People started crooning the songs, identified the singers, the producers; and their interest on the Bishnupriya Manipuri music was again resumed.

Swapan Sinha recently hunted the CD of the songs while visiting his village in Cachar, Assam. It’s not that he has not heard the songs before it was released online. But the release of the songs in the new ‘online’ medium sprouted in him the desire to possess it physically.

Not enough! The release of the album "O MEGHALA" audio CD in the bishnupriyamanipuri.org prompted Dubai-baased Bijit Sarma to buy a copy of the music in Guwahati!

“Last month, I bought one copy of "O MEGHALA" audio CD from our nearest Bishnupriya Manipuri-owned grocery shop in Guwahati and found the lyrics (by Amar Singh) of one particular song very touchy. The song was sung very well by the singer,” reads the mail sent here.

In the mail he wished to share the song "Huna Rupa Beleya …O Ima Bishnupriya" by Rishikesh. “I just wanted to share the song "Huna Rupa Beleya____O Ima Bishnupriya" by Rishikesh. So please do upload the same if possible. I hope it will not harm the commercial interest of the Producer of the CD (Mr Gautam Sinha),” he said.

The release of the songs will definitely hit a big chunk of The Bishnupriya Manipuri subscribers and readers. And will definitely push a section of the section of the people to buy it. Even I have bought it and found it is worth of the investment (Rupees Fifty only).

After the 43rd conference held at Tripura, the newly-elected Executive Members of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha Central Committee are meeting on 24 May, 2009 at Srila Bhubeneshwar Sadhuthakur Sevasram community Hall, Silchar.

The meet will be discussing on the resolutions, adopted in the 43rd conference held in Tripura, and on its implementation.

The meeting convened by NBMM will be attended by two of its own body - Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parisad and Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sanskriti Parisad.

The meeting will be marked with the oath-taking of the newly-elected Executive Members. Discussions on fund and on the Constitution will also take place, according to a communiqué released by the Office of the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha.

In the 43rd conclave, NBMM raised the demand for introducing the Bishnupriya Manipuri language in the primary stage of education, appointment of Bishnupriya Manipuri language teachers and SI of schools, and establishment of Devolopment Council in Assam and Tripura.

Friday, 15 May 2009

Under the Project the pain and suffering of the out-station cancer patients will be assuaged

Cancer is a deadly disease and dreadful enemy of human existence. Since many past decades human life is fighting against this frightful disease of Cancer. Medical scientists are constantly making extensive research into this context to eradicate the disease utterly. They have also succeeded to a significant extent in reducing the death rates owing to the disease. However, due to costly treatment, scarcity of funds and social unawareness of the disease, many patients die untimely death.

Mumbai is a recognized place for cancer treatment. Hundreds of patients come to the place to avail themselves of the best treatment. To help and support these destitute patients of cancer who come to Mumbai, ‘Sreehatta Sammilani Mumbai’, an organization, which was founded on 14th July, 2002, is playing an active role. The main objective behind its establishment is to provide accommodation, medicine, food and solace to the suffering patients.

The organization of the Sreehatta Sammilani is presently set up in a rented flat located at Antop Hill. But the flat is not adequately spacious. It accommodates only limited number of patients. However, to function as efficiently as possible to facilitate the patients, Sreehatta Sammilani has proposed a dream project ‘Sreehatta Sammilani Mumbai Cancer Patients Project’.

Under the project, Sreehatta Sammilani Mumbai aims to acquire sufficient space to accommodate out station patients and to improve the arrangements.

The organization is soliciting generous help from the public to materialize the dream project.

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Gautam Sinha, 25, a Scientist associated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), would be soon joining M.Tech classes in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.

Getting into the prestigious institute like IIT was a dream that he had always craved for since childhood, said Gautam Sinha. He is “extremely happy” of his success, attending the classes in the prestigious institute of India.

Gautam Sinha’s selection took place after he successfully cleared an interview under R&T Scheme through DRDO.

Answering to the question - how he has accomplished so much in academics, starting from getting into NIT Silchar, to DRDO, and now in IIT Delhi - he attributes his success to work hard and the blessings of his parents.

“Work hard and do your work nicely, don’t worry about the result....And above all always respect your parents. Without their blessings nothing will happen” he says.

Gokul Sena Sinha, father of Gautam Sinha, hails from Kanchanbari Tripura and is an employee of NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation). Mother Subarani Sinha is a housewife.

Gautam Sinha, Scientist (B) DRDO, is a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya Loktak Manipur and NIT Silchar. He completed his BTech in Electronics and Telecommunications in the year 2005.

It’s a rejoicing moment for all of us that our students are attending institutes of national prestige, last year Sonika Rajkumari cracked AIEEE and she joined School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Vijaywada.

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

With the increase in the number of articles, photos and videos, readers’ experience, how they are going to interact with The Bishnupriya Manipuri, has become a daunting task. Not only the articles, photos and videos has to be fetched conveniently, making it visible to the present readers, but it has to made always-fresh, readily available to all possible channels of online communication for the future.

Uploading an article/ video/ photos is not everything! The story doesn’t end there itself. It has to be checked when search engine had crawled it, indexed it. And so, so…Chances are there, and it is high, the article/ video/ photos is visible to you, but it is/ will not be visible to present time and for the future.

Here are the few modes of communication that will enhance your interactivity:

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

My friend working in a private company in Delhi has found a way out to gain the same respect and confidence what his friends who are in government jobs are getting from the Bishnupriya Manipuri society!

I was mused to his findings. And to the cobweb of logic that he applied while coming to the conclusion.

In his authoritative voice, he said, “Rishi, people love to SEE”. I nodded to his first logic as if I am listening to a sermon from a great person. I didn’t question to his new-found knowledge! Just I went on listening, and listening, without daring to ask a question.

Well, he accepts that there exists a disparity in the treatment meted to the two sections of the people – government job holders and those who are working away from their villages in the private jobs.

“You know Rishi, the disparity is very visible in the society”, he blurts out.

To make an impression that I am attentive to his evolved topic. In a knee-jerk reaction, I said, “I don’t know that… where you found the disparity…”

“In marriage” he said.

“A government job holder comes and you will be out of the game of marriage!...it doesn’t matter what salary package you are drawing and what is the ambience in your office…they are immaterial, absolutely immaterial…you are nowhere”.

Getting bore to his on-and-off story, I said, “What it is the recourse you have taken so far since you are also working in the private sector”.

“As I said, people love to SEE”. I am not getting what you mean by ‘people love to see’, I pounced back.

“Do you see any material possession here in my room like laptop, a trendy mobile phone or something that I have bought in Delhi?”. I roamed my eyes, yes – I found there is nothing in his room besides a bed and his clothes.

“What is the reason?” I said.

“I make the people there in Guwahati to see what I am doing…whatever I earn, I buy things there (Guwahati) so that my people can see… this is what government people do…they show things like buying a new car, constructing house to the people …This way they create an impression of stability, impression of prosperity …and the same thing I do”.

“Great!” was my natural reaction. What a logic and what a solution, that you have found out to tackle the problem?

My friend has found out the solution to tackle the menace, but somewhere I was wondering – whether it is really true? I don’t know!

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

This is what an entrepreneur Biswajit Sinha has to say when his venture Eastern Television went bankrupt in the mid 80's:

I was perplexed for quite some time. I was not sure whether it was a right decision to start a venture at Silchar, Assam, after leaving a job in Delhi. As it was not possible to start any venture in Delhi without having a financial base, I opted for my home town. But eventually I was bankrupt.

Though I did assure my bankers that I would return the money in due course of time, the bank had no option but going to court; there I expressed my desire to return the money. The bank, of course, negotiated and asked me to pay the principal amount in installments within a span of 1 year, which was made after I joined for the same job I had left.

Below are the excerpts from the book: Towards Establishing Modern Insolvency and Bankruptcy Codes for Small Enterprises in India

The record-breaking entropy in the financial market has had its cascading effect on the economy: the n number of small and medium enterprises had to vanish in ignominy, of no fault of their own. In this context, the economic gyration which left closure of enterprises prompts re-examination, even change, of the bankruptcy and insolvency laws governing the sector which lies at the fag-end of the economy.

To begin with, unfortunately, the two terms “Bankruptcy” and “Insolvency” are generally misconstrued, and are taken as synonyms. Bankruptcy is a legally declared ‘status’ of an organization or of an individual which fails to pay to its creditors. And Insolvency is the ‘state’ where a company or a person is unable to pay their creditors. It is a financial condition when its assets no longer exceed its liabilities.

To this critical issue which is impeccably intertwined with the spirit of entrepreneurship and enterprise creation, one question – are the Indian laws identify this lesion or are still archaic to its approach – is obvious and natural. India does not have a comprehensive policy or law on bankruptcy. Individuals are declared ‘insolvent’ in the event of the individual inability to meet his/ her total liability. There are two Insolvency Acts, one for the presidency towns and the other for the rest of the country: The Presidency-Towns Act, 1909 and The Provincial Insolvency Act, 1920 respectively.

Though the need for bankruptcy laws have been increasingly felt in the country, as is evident from several important committees and groups set up by the Reserve Bank of India and the Government during the last decade, the discussion has been limited to ‘corporates’ and it excluded ‘firms’ and individuals. The J.J Irani Committee which was set up to suggest amendments in the Companies Act also overlooks the personal liability aspect of directors of small companies.

The discussions in India have so far been influenced by the need for restructuring or liquidation from the standpoint of financial institutions only. Not much attention has been paid to liabilities arising out of statutory dues (such as central and state taxes, dues of labour, of utilities such as electricity, water, finance by state institutions etc.) and the rehabilitation of the debtor.

The major pieces of legislation born during this period, substantiate this claim: The Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 (DRT Act) and The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFESI Act), which enshrine the contractual right of the secured creditor to take possession of securities in the event of default and sell them for realization of the loan.

Presently, the entrepreneur which enterprise has fallen in the domain of sickness (a term having very India specific connotations) has to fight the battle on several fronts: brave the actions born out of default on statutory dues on the one hand, pacify the bankers and financial institutions for not pressing for repayment or initiating legal course and mollify the buyers, suppliers and employees on the other hand.

However, at this critical juncture, the role of bank is pivotal and urgent. If at that moment the account is seized and credit limits revoked, even a ‘potentially’ viable unit skids into sickness. The first priority becomes restructuring. If that fails or is delayed, the next is OTS (One-Time Settlement). When that too fails or delayed, the ‘domino effect’ gets into motion irreversibly: pressures of creditors keep mounting day by day and vicious cycle of threats, show-causes, legal notices and fines eventually leading to arrests and imprisonment.

The set of agendas required to set a benign economic failure should encompass the following points: (i) Having a credible and effective insolvency and bankruptcy regime and instilling a benign, nuanced attitude towards economic failure in society. (ii) Adoption of international best practices including the time taken in completing the insolvency and bankruptcy exercise.

However, specific intervention is required in the following areas: (i) Need for substantive amendments in Insolvency Acts or replacement by new (single and comprehensive) law (ii) Enactment of comprehensive Bankruptcy Law mechanism covering non-corporate entities (iii) Suitable revisits to other central and state statutes affecting current recovery procedures and clauses of imprisonment (iv) Constitution of Authority/ Registrar/ Central Registry System where all the orders declaring a person as insolvent may be filed (v) Instituting a time bound restructuring mechanism for small scale sector (vi) Need to institute specialized bankruptcy and insolvency courts and a cadre of specialists providing a ‘single window’ to address all related issues: restructuring, liquidation, bankruptcy and insolvency.

Sunday, 3 May 2009

It was a day of celebration for the Assamese community living in Mumbai and in its adjoining areas on April 18, 2009. The national festival of Assam “Rongali Bihu” was celebrated with much fanfare and gaiety at Assam Bhawan, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

The celebration which drew attendance from all walks of life underwent with songs, dances, Jeng Bihu, and Hoosari. The day also marked the felicitation of Amrit Pritam Dutta, Sound Engineer of the Oscar movie Slumdog Millionaire, Debojit Thousen, Executive Member, North Cachar Hills Autonomus Council and Abhilash Phukan, Guitarist.

The evening started with the welcome address by Shyama Prasad Borthakur Vice President, The Assam Association, Mumbai, followed with the Banti Prajalan by Devasish Sharma, Dy.Resident Commissioner of Assam Bhawan, and Paban Kr.Kotoky, President, The Assam Association, Mumbai.

It came as a special day for the attendees as they were able to enjoy in one platform the traditional Bihu and the modern songs sung by luminaries like Gakul Das, Gakul Puri and Manmi Baruah. Other singers who also cast their magic on the audience were Anjana Saikia, Bharati Hazarika, Rajjyoti Konwar, Bedanta Rajkhowa and Ramen Goswami.

A breath taking children dance, directed by Nitu Pegu, on the song "Tilai-Tilai" of Kolaguru Bishnu Rabha, was performed by Satarupa, Dikshita, Bhavana, Viona, Kritika and Prantika.

Finally, came the turn of the modern dance by Karishma Borpujari, disciple of Padmashree Pushpa Bhuyan, who presented a dance from the movie "36 China Town".

One of the highlights of the evening was Jeng Bihu performed by Sreemoyee Mahila Samitee, and directed by Indrani Borpujari and Dipali Newar. The traditional folk dance of Assam was performed by Juri Dowerah, Monalisa Dowerah, Kakoli Saikia, Hira Saikia, Indrani Borpujari, Karishma Borpujari, Chinu Borgohain, Dipali Gohain, Dipali Newar and Tripti Konwar.

The entire programme was anchored by Nilakshi Phukan, a trained classical singer and stage performer of classical music at different places of Assam.The Mumbai Rongali Bihu for the year 2009 ended at midnight of April 19, with the vote of thanks from Deepen Rajkonwar, General Secretary,The Assam Association, wishing everyone happy and prosperous new year and with a promise to meet again next year.

Saturday, 2 May 2009

If someone at this time wishes to explore any site, and wish to read not all but a section of the published articles. Very sure – with the volume of articles of the site it is going to be a daunting task, preferably a never-ending process.

Forget reading, one can only pick-and-choose articles of ones choice of a site. However, this is also not going to assuage the pain that one has to pay clicking the archives: ‘n’ number of times!

Friday, 1 May 2009

The participation of The Bishnupriya Manipuri in the largest exercise of democracy is indeed a matter of prestige and a milestone set in its journey. Its involvement in the 15th Lok Sabha election hasn’t been exclusive; it can’t be. However, the series of special seven power-packed articles do carry weight and uniqueness. Not only all the articles were timely released but it was published with some special objectives.

The objectives were:

(1) Self-reliance: The so-called media group national and regional, it has been seen, utterly fails to cater to a particular segment like us that has a divided population cutting across states/ constituencies. Here with these articles we have been able to cater content to the respective constituencies where we have a sizable population like in Guwahati, Silchar, Karimganj and in the state Tripura.

(2) Content-monotony: The articles break a sort of prevailing myth that only media houses have access to news-source. We can also access information/ news. (though it is publicly available).

(3) News and analysis: Chances are there that a mainstream media journalist will not write a copy that is of concern to the minority community like us. On the contrary, it is a concern for us and it matters a lot. So an analysis was done to bring forth the stands taken up by main national parties like Congress (I), BJP and CPI (M) on key issues like minorities and OBC.

(4) Bridge information gap: It is a cut-and-dried fact: people of Assam don’t know anything about Tripura and vice-versa. People of both the states live in an information-starved environment. The fault lies in our education system plus the minuscule role media plays in both the states. For us the United States seems nearer than Tripura or Assam.